Are you planning on replacing your existing floor? Perhaps you are renovating a newly acquired home or business. If so, chances are you will look for a flooring contractor who can fulfil your flooring needs. However, searching for a flooring contractor can be difficult, with many factors and questions that can arise. To help, we’ve answered your popular questions on flooring contractors.
Where can I find a good, reputable flooring company in the UK?
Finding a good, reputable flooring company in the UK can be difficult. However, a thorough search online can help you to track down a reliable flooring contractor. A sensible approach is to check the reviews online, including Trustpilot and Google reviews.
Also, check reviews on the companies’ social media pages and, importantly, how they respond to negative reviews. Another important method is the old favourite – Word of mouth. Speak to friends and family for recommendations on companies they’ve had positive experiences with.
How to find a reliable flooring contractor?
When looking for a reliable flooring contractor, most people will look online. When searching for a reliable flooring contractor, there are some things you should look out for, including:
- Ensuring the contractor is licensed and fully
- Check online reviews from third-party sites, like Google, Trustpilot and Facebook.
- What experience and reputation do they have?
- Have they got any certifications or accreditations?
- Look for previous case studies
Check out some more tips for choosing a commercial flooring contractor
Why is getting a flooring contractor worth considering?
There are several reasons why getting a flooring contractor is worth considering. Firstly, a professional flooring contractor will have the experience and expertise to install certain kinds of flooring.
Secondly, they will already have the tools and equipment to fit your flooring. This removes the need for hiring or purchasing expensive equipment. Also, a flooring contractor will accurately measure up and acquire the right amount of flooring necessary for the job with little waste.
In some cases, a flooring contractor can also help with other elements of a flooring installation. Some contractors may remove and dispose of your existing flooring or offer a subflooring repair service.
Why should you hire a professional flooring company?
If you are considering switching your existing flooring, you may opt for a professional flooring company. There are several reasons why you should hire a professional flooring company, including:
- Ensuring a high-quality flooring.
- Years of experience and expertise.
- Certifications to ensure quality standards.
- Can help with other aspects of a flooring installation, such as subfloor problems.
- Achieving a quality flooring installation on time and budget.
What does a flooring contractor do?
A flooring contractor specialises in installing flooring. Some flooring contractors may specialise in certain kinds of flooring, such as luxury vinyl tiles, while others may specialise in multiple floors. Some certified flooring contractors will typically remove existing flooring, install new flooring, and carry out any necessary repairs.
Why are good flooring contractors so hard to find?
Finding a good flooring contractor can be difficult due to the large number of inexperienced and unprofessional contractors. Another reason can be a long booking time due to high demand making it difficult to get a good flooring contractor.
Some people may also be put off by the high price due to the experience and quality. However, opting for cheap flooring installations can turn out more expensive in the long term due to ongoing repair and maintenance costs or a low-quality installation.
How to choose flooring?
There are many flooring options available which can make the decision more difficult. However, there are several factors you can consider to help you choose which flooring to go for, including:
- The room and environment – you may choose soft, plush carpet for a home bedroom but durable and quality vinyl for a retail shop.
- Your interior style and décor – do you prefer a natural flooring design of LVT or colourful carpet?
- Is the flooring water-resistant – kitchens, bathrooms, and wet rooms will all require a floor that can withstand high moisture.
- The practicality – how much usage will your flooring get?
- Budget – some flooring types will be much more expensive than others.
- Cleaning and maintenance – some floors are much easier to clean and maintain than others making it important for good hygiene (especially in food premises).
Where do I get professional flooring installation services?
You can find professional flooring installation services by looking online, or by word of mouth. A search for “professional flooring contractor” or “professional flooring installation services” will provide many contractors for your local area. However, you need to carefully research different contractors first and reach out to them before making a final decision.
Are contractor quotes negotiable?
Generally speaking, contractor quotes are not negotiable. The price given in the quote includes all the expenses a contractor will incur during the project, including labour costs, supply, insurance, and taxes. Setting a budget or obtaining multiple bids are other ways to negotiate prices.
Which comes first in interior renovation, painting or flooring?
One problem many people face during interior renovation is whether the painting or flooring should be done first. This will depend on the type of flooring you opt for. However, generally, it is best to complete the painting first before installing flooring.
The exceptions to this are if an existing flooring will remain and needs repairing or if you are opting for a contractor to complete the decorating. At E&M Services, we offer both flooring and painting and decorating interior services.
How do flooring contractors invoice their clients?
Flooring contractors invoice their clients by sending them an invoice. This is an official notice the contractor provides its clients to ask for payment for the work. These are sent or given to clients after the work is completed.
The invoice will include a breakdown of the different expenses during the project, alongside the total cost, company name, contact info, and accepted payment methods. The invoice will also state how long the client has to pay. In some cases materials may need to be paid for before the project starts.
What do people want from a flooring contractor?
Some of the top qualities people want from a flooring contractor are experience, expertise, and reputation. Some other factors or qualities people may want from a flooring contractor are their specialism in certain floors, insurance, subfloor repair, or convenience.
Can I use flooring estimating services for DIY projects?
While you could use a flooring estimate as a guide for DIY projects, generally this is not a reliable way of estimating the costs involved for a DIY project. Flooring estimates may include labour costs and the standard work rate while omitting the cost of purchasing or hiring tools and equipment.
How long does a flooring installation take?
How long it takes to install a floor depends on the flooring type, experience, and room size. Typically, a professional flooring contractor can take anywhere between 1 to 3 days to complete a flooring installation. This may be longer should any repair or subfloor maintenance be required.
How long does it take a professional to lay luxury vinyl tiles?
For a medium-sized room, it can take a professional flooring contractor anywhere between two and three days to finish installing LVT. Installing LVT using an adhesive will take more time than installing a click or floating floor.
Do flooring contractors move toilets?
No, flooring contractors will not move toilets. Instead, a flooring contractor will cut the floor according to the toilet. In some cases, you may need to remove the toilet before a contractor puts down a floor.
Do carpenters do floors?
Some carpenters may install flooring. However, this will typically be wood or timber-based flooring. For other flooring options, a carpenter may not have the necessary experience. In this situation, it is always advisable to opt for a professional floor fitter.
How much does LVT cost per square foot?
The average price of installing luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) per square foot can vary anywhere from £15 to £60. Luxury brands, such as Ambiance and Karndean will have a higher average cost per square foot compared to cheaper alternatives. However, these LVT floors make up this in terms of their quality.
What do I do when a contractor doesn’t finish the job?
The first step you should take when a contractor doesn’t finish the job is to try to get in touch and talk to the contractor. If you are unable to get hold of the contractor or they don’t provide a suitable solution, it is advisable to terminate the contract.
You will then need to explore suitable dispute resolution options. Make sure to save all communication and documentation for future reference. However, at E&M Services, we have a long-standing reputation as a top flooring contractor across the Midlands and ensure you can achieve the best flooring installation on time and within budget.
Should you pay a contractor up front?
In most cases, a contractor will not ask for any money upfront and will settle the cost of the work after completion. However, for expensive work or high material costs, a contractor may ask for a small amount upfront, with the remainder settled after job completion.
Why is getting flooring services in Coventry worth considering?
If you are considering switching your existing flooring, there are a few reasons why getting flooring services in Coventry is worth considering. Firstly, you can benefit from a contractor’s experience, expertise and reputation.
Another reason why getting flooring services in Coventry is worth considering is ensuring the contractor is fully licensed and insured. A contractor will also provide you with a detailed and no-hidden costs quote. They may also have links with certain manufacturers to ensure the best quality products.
What are some important things when replacing your flooring?
When replacing your flooring, there are some important things you must consider. Firstly, you should ensure the quality of the subfloor to ensure a level and quality floor installation. Secondly, you need to consider the usage and how much traffic the floor will be exposed to.
Thirdly, the acoustics of the floor is should also be considered. Other factors you may also want to consider when replacing your floor include the style, flooring type, cleaning and maintenance, and cost.
Should you give a contractor a deposit?
Whether you give a contractor a deposit or not will entirely depend on the scope and cost of the project. Small projects usually will not require a deposit. However, large and expensive projects with high costs may require a deposit to cover material or supply costs.
If you would like to discover how E&M Services can help you with your next flooring project, get in touch with our friendly team today.